The Power of Forgiveness
Scripture: Matt. 10:28-33; 26:31-35, 69-75; John 21:15-19
Last week I shared with you why we need to keep the resurrection on the front burner in our minds. The reason for this is what happened after the resurrection – the power that those who believed in Christ received in order to do what He needed them to do. They received the power to go forth and spread the gospel, knowing that it could cost them their lives. They did not seek to be accepted by the world, but to share with the world Jesus Christ – His death and His resurrection. I shared with you that one of the first things Jesus did when He met with His disciples was to take them back to the Scriptures that prophesied about Him so that they would understand why He had to die and be resurrected. Their understanding of Scripture equipped them with the faith they needed to complete His work without giving up or giving in to the religious leaders who attempted to shut them down. This faith, at least for one of the disciples, was powered by forgiveness. This morning I will be talking with you on the subject of “The Power of Forgiveness.”
To set the stage, I want to take you to Matthew chapter 10. Matthew 10:28-33 say, “And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows. 32Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father Who is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Who is in heaven.” If you read the whole chapter of Matthew chapter ten, you will see that when Jesus sent His disciples out to the lost sheep of Israel, He gave them a warning. He spoke of what would happen then, but especially what would happen in their future, after He was resurrected. He told them how they would be treated – how one brother would turn on (report) his brother leading him to be put to death. He spoke about how they would be taken before the religious leaders and beaten because of Him. He gave them this warning and told them not to fear man who could only kill the body, but to fear God Who could destroy both the soul and body in hell. Then we get to verse thirty-two. In verse thirty-two Jesus said that whoever confesses Him before men that person would He confess before His Father in heaven. Likewise, and this is important, whoever denied Him before men, the same would He deny before His Father in heaven. Let me rephrase what Jesus said. He says, “If you refuse to admit that you know Me and that you are one of mine, I will have no choice but to do the same before My Father in heaven. I would have to say I don’t know you and that you not are one with Us.” If Jesus has no relationship with us, there is no way we can spend eternity in heaven with Him. Now, with this backdrop in mind, let’s look at someone who did just this – someone who denied Christ.
In the twenty-sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus is sharing with His disciples what is about to happen. His heart is heavy when He tells them that they would deny Him – that they would abandon Him. Let’s pick the story up at verse thirty-one. Matthew 26:31-35 says, “Then said Jesus unto them, ‘All you shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, ‘I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.’ 33Peter answered and said unto Him, ‘Though all men shall be offended because of You, yet will I never be offended.’ 34Jesus said unto him, ‘Verily I say unto you, that this night, before the cock crows, you shall deny Me three times.’ 35Peter said unto him, ‘Though I should die with You, yet will I not deny You.’ Likewise also said all the disciples.” I am sure when Peter and the other disciples made this confession they believed it with all of their hearts. But we know that each of them did exactly what Jesus said they would do. When He was arrested, they scattered. But Peter did more than just run away. When he was questioned, he said that he was not one of Jesus disciples. Let’s continue with verse sixty-nine.
“Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard: and a maidservant came unto him, saying, ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’ 70But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I know not what you say.’ 71And when he was gone out into the porch, another maidservant saw him, and said unto them that were there, ‘This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.’ 72And again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man.’ 73And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, ‘Surely you also are one of them; for your speech betrays you.’ 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, ‘I know not the man.’ And immediately the cock crowed. 75And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, who said unto him, ‘Before the cock crows, you shall deny Me three times. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:69-75) Peter was among those who followed the temple guards as they took Jesus to the religious leaders. When those in the crowd recognized him as one of Jesus’ disciples, he denied knowing Jesus. The third time he denied knowing Jesus he did so by cussing the people out. I have wondered if he did this because he knew that a disciple of Jesus would not use such language. Regardless, as soon as he denied Jesus the third time, the cock crowed and he remembered what Jesus had said and immediately he left the crowd and wept bitterly. I am sure as he wept he remembered what Jesus had warned them all about – how if they denied Him before men He would deny them before His Father in heaven. Peter had just denied His Savior three times in one evening. Can you imagine how he felt?
I want you to take a moment and think about the most horrible thing you could do. This thing, if discovered, would cost you publicly your self-respect, your self-esteem and your reputation. Think about how embarrassed you would feel. Think about what your family and friends would say about you. Can you see this? Now imagine that after it became known everyone read about it in the newspaper. Your face is now plastered across the front page with the act that you had committed. Imagine how you would feel when you saw people on the street and they were holding a copy of the paper with your picture on the front page. After you paid the penalty for your crime (whether that’s jail time or a fine), would you expect to be treated the same by those that love you? Would you expect to be treated the same by your former co-workers or potential employers? It is a sad fact that when your dirty laundry is aired out before the public, there is a change in how you are perceived and treated from that point on. Depending on the nature of the accusation, even if you were innocent, some would continue to question your innocence. This is Peter’s story. It became known by all that he had denied knowing and/or being associated with Jesus. Can you imagine how he felt when he was finally in the presence of the other disciples? Could they forgive him? Would they forgive him? Could he forgive himself? And I believe that it is it possible that Peter, by his actions, believed that Jesus would not forgive him. But oh how the mercy and grace of God responses to a repentant heart!
Imagine what Peter felt like. He was always the first one to try something; the first one to speak up; the first one to support Christ; he even got to the point when he was offering advice to Jesus. He was possibly the envy of the other disciples and he had made them look bad on a couple of occasions. Think about the fact that his denial of Jesus is recorded in all four Gospels. Peter did not write any of the Gospels, but the writers wanted it known what Peter had done. If it was that important to record, think about how important it would have been to those who witnessed it and knew Peter. Think about how important it was to Peter. He was the one to profess that he alone would stand with Jesus and now look at him. He had denied knowing Christ three different times. He stood in the shadows scared to profess what he had professed in the safety of the brethren. Imagine how he felt when he witnessed Jesus being crucified. Imagine how he felt when Jesus actually died and he went into hiding. Imagine how he felt when he had been the one bragging about standing with Jesus only to deny Him three times and his fellow disciples now knowing all about it. Imagine the looks they gave him – the one who had made them look bad. Imagine the guilt Peter felt coupled with his embarrassment and fear. He was a broken man. He probably felt he was not worth being called a disciple. He probably felt there was nothing else he could ever do as a follower of Jesus. Imagine how he felt before the resurrection
I will never tire of talking to you about forgiveness because there is power in forgiveness. Consider Peter when he is amongst the crowd lying about his relationship with Jesus - KNOWING what Jesus said about what would happen if he denied Him before men. Can you see the fear in his eyes as he thought about what he had just done? Can you see how broken and embarrassed he was as he runs away and weeps bitterly? Can you imagine the torment he felt when Jesus was crucified knowing that he (Peter) had denied knowing Him? Can you imagine his guilt between the time Jesus was buried and the time He rose from the dead? Now comes the good part. When Peter hears that Jesus had risen from the dead and he arrives at the tomb to find it empty – can you imagine the emotions that he was feeling? Confusion on what happened to His body; hope that He had truly been raised from the dead; fear that Jesus would call Him out on what He had done. Let’s jump to after the resurrection and Jesus is giving the disciples some directions before He returns to His Father. Turn to John chapter twenty one and we will begin reading at verse fifteen.
John 21:15-19 says, “So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me more than these?’ He said unto him, ‘Yea, Lord; you know that I love You.’ He said unto him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16He said to him again the second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me?’ He said unto him, ‘Yea, Lord; you know that I love You.’ He said unto him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ 17He said unto him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said unto Him, ‘Lord, you know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said unto him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ 18Verily, verily, I say unto you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you would: but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall dress you, and carry you where you would not.’ 19This spoke He, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said unto him, ‘Follow Me.’” Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times, and do you think it’s a coincidence that Jesus now asks him three times if he loved Him. Peter affirms each time that he truly loves Jesus and each time Jesus commissions him as to what he was to do. Then Jesus tells Peter how he would die serving Him. I want you to see this clearly; when Jesus was arrested Peter was scared. He was so scared that He denied knowing Jesus three times. After Jesus was resurrected, Peter was encouraged, but he wasn’t whole yet. You see, there was some unfinished business Jesus had with him. Peter knew what he had done and he knew Jesus knew. It was just a matter of time before it would have to be addressed. And Jesus, in His love for Peter, addressed it in such a way that Peter knew not only that he was forgiven, but that he was being commissioned.
Jesus made it clear to Peter that He knew what Peter had done. He did this by asking Peter three times – the same number of times he had denied Him – if he loved Him. When Peter confirmed that he truly did love Jesus, Jesus told him to feed and tend to His sheep. In other words, Peter was to go spread the gospel and bring souls to Christ. Now I want you to see something else. When Jesus told Peter the manner in which he would die serving the Lord, Jesus was letting Peter know that He knew that Peter would not ever deny Him again in order to save his own life. Jesus was letting Peter know that he was forgiven and He knew Peter would die serving Him.
When you read the book of Acts you see Peter was a leader. You see that he never agains hesitates to proclaim his allegiance to Jesus. For example, in Acts chapter four Peter and John are confronted by the religious leaders and commanded not to teach the people about Jesus (verse 18). I want you to hear their response in verses 19 and 20. “But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than God, you judge. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20) Wow! This is the same Peter who before the resurrection denied knowing Jesus. New Light, the Peter that we see after the resurrection is a man walking in the power of the forgiveness that he had received from Jesus. But the religious leaders were not finished with Peter and John. In Acts chapter five, they put them in prison. You know the story. An angel breaks them out and in verse 20 says “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” (Acts 5:20) When the religious leaders found out that they were not in prison and heard that they were in the temple teaching in the name of Jesus, they sent for them. Let’s read verses 27 through 32. 27And when they had brought them, they sat them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28saying, ‘Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!’ Now I want you to hear the response of a man who is walking in the power of the forgiveness he received from Jesus. 29But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus who you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and the forgiveness of sins. 32And we are His witnesses to these things, and so who is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” The Peter before the resurrection is gone. The Peter after the resurrection understands that he is a forgiven man who was worthy of eternal damnation. Never again will he deny his Lord and Savior. Never!
Last week I told you that depending on where you are right now will determine how you respond to the resurrection in the today, tomorrow, and this week. I asked you if were you at the scene of where Jesus was crucified – standing at the cross depressed. Were you at the tomb – confused on seeing an empty grave? Or were you at Galilee in His presence, hearing the Words spoken by Him resulting in a growth of your faith? This morning I want to ask you another question. Are you with Peter, hearing Jesus ask him if he loved Him and then hearing Jesus tell Peter to feed His sheep? Are you thinking “What about me?” Will Jesus ask me if I love Him? Are you wondering if you love Him enough to deny the world for Him? If you have failed Him before, are you encouraged by the forgiveness that you witnessed Peter receiving? Peter denied being a follower of Jesus three times – something you have never done. But maybe you lied about something else. Maybe you stole something once. Maybe you cheated once. Maybe you have done something else that Satan wants you to think forgiveness is not possible for you. But I want you to know that forgiveness is possible and it’s powerful. Peter’s life was forever changed after he was forgiven.
If you have ever felt hopeless in your faith and doubted God, you will know what Peter felt after he denied Christ. That was an act of betrayal. If you have ever betrayed your faith because of something you did, participated in or went through where you doubted Christ was with you, then you understand what Peter felt. If you have ever doubted that God will forgive your sins and remove them from you, then I ask you to consider the story of Peter. Peter had risen to a position of leadership among Jesus’ followers. He had positioned himself as the defender of Christ when the Roman soldiers came to arrest Him (John 18:10). But when he saw what Jesus was going through; the heat of a national trial, conviction and the death sentence; he denied knowing Jesus three times. When Christ rose from the dead, Peter probably felt disqualified from doing anything further as a disciple. Jesus put that notion to rest. He had Peter confess publicly three times that he loved Him and then Jesus gave Peter more responsibility. Jesus reconnected with Peter and called for him to continue His work.
Forgiveness is the primary benefit we receive from Jesus’ resurrection. It is not only a forgiveness of our past sins, but anything we do in the future, when we go to Him, confess our sin and repent. We do not always get a second and third chance in this world. Our families, friends and co-workers often write us off when we fail them the first time. Our court systems may have a three strike and you’re out rule in some areas. We do not forgive each other as Jesus does. Through Christ’s resurrection, our forgiveness was made complete. Our bondage of sin has been broken. We do not have to suffer alone in misery when we fail. Jesus has provided for us if we accept Him. When we own up to our failures and repent, Jesus provides an unending amount of forgiveness for us. First John chapter one verse nine says that when we confess our sins “He (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Praise God!
If you are living in the shadows of your past sins, understand that you have been forgiven and your sins are gone. If you are still suffering from your past mistakes (and it does not have to be a sin) Jesus rose from the dead so that we could rise above our past. If you are not looking ahead, I ask you to turn your head around. Stop focusing on your past failures and on your future possibilities and opportunities. Remember, God will open doors that no man can close, but if you are looking behind you instead of in front of you, you will not find the door.
And one final point. Forgiveness is powerful – when we receive it and when we GIVE it. As you have received forgiveness, go forth now and empower others by forgiving them. This is a true result from the resurrection.
Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
(We are once again conducting live services on Sunday morning beginning at 9:15 a.m. We will continue to broadcast live on Facebook Live at 10:00 a.m.. Please tune in to "New Light Christian Fellowship Church" and like our page if you wish to watch our broadcast and be notified when we go live. If you are ever in the Kansas City, KS area, please come and worship with us at New Light Christian Fellowship, 15 N. 14th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102. Our service Sunday worship starts at 9:15 a.m.. We also have Thursday night Bible study at 7 p.m. via Zoom that you are also welcome to attend – please email me for the link. Also, for use of our social media, you can find us at newlightchristianfellowship on FB. To get our live stream services, please make sure you “like” and turn on notifications for our page so you can be notified when we are live streaming. We also have a church website and New Light Christian Fellowship YouTube channel for more of our content. We are developing more social media streams so please stand by and we will notify you once those channels are up and running. We look forward to you worshipping with us. May God bless and keep you.)
